Are you one of those people who has been in the mountains for the past twenty years? Then you will also know the changes that have occurred and are occurring. We are all part of the problem, but we decide to what extent. To begin with, I thought I would reflect on my experiences from a historical sustainability perspective. In the beginning of the 80s. the Sylarna glacier was big and solid; today it collapsed. The Helags glacier has become considerably smaller. So, all of us who move around in the mountain areas, all have our stories about the difference from the past to today. We don’t need to listen to or understand the scientists’ reports and diagrams, because we have seen it with our own eyes. Just take an event like the marmot years, which are gone now…

Well, we can see some of the changes. But how does it affect us in our daily adventures? To begin with we need to re-think our safety planning. The weather is much more unpredictable, and extreme weather is a fact. This will affect the water flow, which affects where and how to do river crossing feks. During winter the trails that go over ice and marsh are they safe? Avalanches will be more difficult to predict where and when and zones of them as well. With major unpredictable weather changes, the flow down the mountain sides is affected. As well as the risk of rockfalls increases and in places that were previously unknown. The map may not be correct, there will be local temporary deviations, so collaboration with people who know the local conditions will be important.

Everyone can’t do it all, but anyone can do something…

Workout, with a sprained ankle, the training has been affected. But a lot of strength and hill running has been possible to do. So, on my way for becoming in shape for the summer adventures…

Too Fast For My Soul | Irie Tahitian Reggae 2026

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The Swedish comedian Johan Glans expressed himself about Finland in the following way: They must have been absent from the meeting about how the Nordic languages ​​should look…But I must say I admire the Finnish people.  Not only are they world champions in coffee drinking, they are also the happiest people in the world. They also have their own radio program here in Sweden – Disco in Finnish. Now you might think that you play disco hits in Finnish, but alas no. They have also turned the texts into Finnish stories. Talk about being independent. A bit like the French of Scandinavia…But, here stops my reflection over Finland. 

My next topic will be about the Outdoor/mountain sport and activities overall. There has been a debate about all mountain tourism and how it negatively affects popular areas. Social media also drives both experiences and visitor density to specific areas. In Sweden the Jämtlandstriangle and also the Vålådalen area and of course the Kebnekaise area. But lets us take a historical angle out of this. With such as much people doing outdoor adventure, must be a something positive, because that means that we can afford and spend our income on adventures. Not to long ago, it was just the rich and wee-off who had the opportunity to do this.  The downside of chasing the most and best adventures, number of altitude meters and most climbed mountains (and preferably at sunrise/sunset) in social media of course takes away a bit of the whole thing. But in my opinion, I come into the picture as a guide here. Can I live up to the fact that an experience in the mountains can be and is something completely different than boastful pictures and extreme hardships. Back to basic…Have you ever sat by a lake and just stared for a couple of hours…

This weekend I went to the High Coast, hiked towards Bodviken Wind shelter and the Balesudden. A hike through magical paths and high-altitude marshes along the High Coast trail, with passages near sea bathing bays. The ankles got a good workout, but the experience of air, view and scenery – unbeatable. both body and soul recovered. So, the next thing was a joyful meeting at the Skuleberget, and a Via Ferrata to taop the day. But – you don’t live as you teach? Well, it was a slow and enjoyable climb…

We all have two lives, the second begins when we realize we only have one…

90-04_WKDA_CEND_Tony-Branch_CB_20

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Now its a fact, the spring is here. Trail-running, hiking etc. Just to begin exploring…New season for trail-running means new shoes. The Dynafit Alpine Pro shoe will be this season choice. When it comes to trail-running shoes, approach-shoes or even hiking-shoes/boots you can get some good advice here;

If you have pain/pressure on the top of your foot, you can untie the shoe as in the picture. This will relieve the pressure over the area where the pressure is…

Sometimes you need more heel grip, for example to hold your foot more firmly. Pull the lace through the extra holes as in the picture (on both sides then) then tighten it as much as needed. Then just tie a regular rosette knot.

Spring is here, and with that comes the light. This will affect us in different ways. It all depends on our built-in 24-hour clock. It controls hormones and neurotransmitters in the brain and keeps our circadian rhythms working properly. But when the circadian rhythms don’t work, like with jet lag or seasonal changes, some people are more affected than others.

What happens when the seasons change is that hormone levels and levels of certain neurotransmitters change. The changes can affect both our sleep and our mental well-being. When it gets lighter, the nocturnal hormone melatonin decreases, while the stress hormone cortisol and the neurotransmitter serotonin increase. The result is that we have more energy, while we can feel both tired and depressed. This is because the body reacts faster than the head.

But for those who find the changing seasons problematic, there is help available. A simple way is to be outside in nature and follow the rhythm of nature. If we are outside in daylight even during the winter months, the seasonal transitions can be mitigated, and the spring light will not be a shock. Another tip is to eat, sleep and exercise regularly, make sure to keep your circadian rhythm and go to bed no later than midnight. Light therapy and antidepressant medication can also have a good effect, says the scientist.

Facts about sleep, getting enough sleep and rest is important for both mental and physical health. The body and brain need sleep to recover, replenish energy, and process sensory impressions from the day.

When we sleep, the body slows down, heart rate and blood pressure drop, breathing slows down and muscles relax. The body recovers. Impressions from the day are processed, new knowledge and memories are stored. The production of stress hormones decreases during sleep, while other important hormones are formed. The immune system is also activated, which can make you more resistant to infections, for example. When you are temporarily ill, sleep is often important for faster recovery and recovery.

Our circadian rhythm is controlled by various hormones as mentioned here before, such as melatonin and cortisol, which make us naturally sleepy at night and alert during the day. Yet it can be difficult to fall asleep at night. This is partly because circadian rhythms vary slightly from person to person, partly based on our genes, and we can, for example, be morning or evening people. People who have slept a long time in the morning or taken a nap during the day usually have a harder time falling asleep that night. If you have been awake for a long time, it is often easier to fall asleep, as well as if you have slept to catch up on from previous nights. It can also be easier to fall asleep if your body is tired from being physically active during the day, but it is important to have time to wind down and not be too active just before going to sleep. Being outside in daylight can also promote the body’s natural circadian rhythm, which makes you more tired in the evening.

So ok, now I have understood that sleep is important, but how do I get into sleep faster and better though? Go to sleep at the same time. Give yourself time to cool down. Let your bedroom become a bedroom. Avoid stimulating and energizing drinks or foods before bedtime. Be physically active and take advantage of daylight. Being physically active during the day reduces your stress levels, while also making it easier to regulate your body temperature. There are substances in the body, hormones, that control when we get tired and when we become more alert. When you are outside in daylight in the morning, it becomes easier to set your internal biological clock correctly so that the right amount of the right hormone is released at the right time.

Calazo has published a new book, which provides good inspiration for new adventures. And this time in Norway, more specifically the Sogne area. Torkjell Djupedal presents and describes a total of 93 tours, and their ratings. So if you are ready for tours in Norway, this is a first choice for easily finding great adventures.  

Lapin Blanc – Irie Tahitian Reggae 2026

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Imagine your life as a tree, where each year has formed an annual ring. What we see today of you is just the last time of the aging of the body. I think we sometimes take life and all our choices too seriously. Arne Naess writes in his book, Livsfilosofi “You can only learn what you feel something about”. In the book, he also mentions the importance of inner values, such as – imagination, wonder and creativity. All this point to us all as outdoorer. Both as guides, but also as mountain sporters. Sometimes I think we got lost in the world of digitalization. We need more of wonder etc. To become one with the environment.

This season there have been a lot of avalanches, and a broad discussion of that. So, the first question to ask, why has it been so many this year? Well, of course the climate impact importance. This regards that the weather has been very varied in many ways. But one of the most important things will be that it was a weak layer early in the season. And that has been covered with new layers etc. Which has led to the avalanche risk has been at a high level during this season. There has also been a debate in the press regarding that the environmental protection agency had been too broad in warning about avalanches – this was during easter at Riksgränsen. I will follow up that debate as soon as I hear something new.

When it comes to clothing and equipment, I have two new things to report on:

First, we got the Lundhags Tived Merino hood. The Tived Merino Hoodie is made from a fine blend of merino wool and recycled polyester. Wool has a natural anti-odour effect and ability to regulate temperature, while the polyester increases the durability of the fabric. The brushed inside makes it extra comfortable, even for those who are usually sensitive to itchy wool. This is a mid-layer, perfect for spring and autumn. The hood is generous, and nice. I really like this, but from my perspective-it is a bit too expensive. For a middle layer, with so few details and subtleties, it can only get (NNN). For a price of 166 euro, I expected more…

The next will be the Garmont Nebraska II. Expertly designed for the serious adventurer, this boot is the perfect companion for long and demanding hikes, multi-day backpacking with a heavy pack, or reaching high altitudes in complete safety. Designed to provide an unbeatable combination of durability, support, and weather protection, the Nebraska II ensures your feet stay comfortable and secure, no matter where your journey takes you. Available in anatomically specific models for both men and women, this boot is the pinnacle of performance hiking footwear. This one I will test upcoming week, but so far it looks promising…

Siouxsie And The Banshees – The Passenger

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This week’s post will be of a more philosophical nature. I’m guessing that those of you reading this are somewhat older, and have you asked yourself the question – are you happier now than before? My first thought was, no, I’m probably happier now. But then I had to marinate the thought, I concluded that that’s probably not true. The answer is probably that you are happy in different ways in the past and now. In the past, you could be unbridled, happy for a specific thing, while today you are happier in a more relaxed way. Also, for completely different things and that somewhere on the horizon you can see that you will someday disappear…Ok, so where does this conclusion or reflection lead? Well, everything has its time (Sv. Var sak har sin tid). When it comes to mountain sports or mountain experiences, it fits well. When I was younger the experience was more of a limitless naive character, than today. And honest sometimes I can miss the “loose” feeling from then. Back to the core -everything has its time, can be used from a short and for a long period of time.

In the short perspective, is it highly relevant with scope for mountain cycles, safety and equipment selection and physical adaptation. In practical terms, this means an understanding and respect for which activities you do when. It means understanding that mountain conditions are dynamic, meaning that an activity is perfect at a certain time and less safe at another…In the short perspective it means that choosing the right activity at the right time (and due to the environment situation this become more and more important) This means also to consider the local situation such as reindeer season etc. From a weather point of view, then the motto also comes to its own, waiting out the storm, realizing when the avalanche danger is too high or choosing the right time for a summit trip when the conditions are at their best…The short perspective also includes physical and mental preparedness. The understanding of those different kinds of activities has different kinds of impact, and the body needs to adapt, the pace variations – tough approaches and recovery in a cabin. And respect for nature and locals etc.

In short, the concept encompasses rock-solid knowledge that natural conditions govern human actions, rather than the other way around.

So, from a long-term perspective then? Arne Naess got his own description of this: “living silence, when he took the time to listen”. Næss believes that the simplicity and hardships that nature gives us restore our self-confidence. Then we can also let our feelings out.

“Feelings are guides if we dare to listen to them. Feelings are connected to our deepest values,”

Everything wasn’t better before, but maybe it was good then…

Hm. But from “everything has its time” for the moment, what does it mean? It’s basically about a humble mindset: not forcing an experience but waiting for the right conditions to get the most out of the mountains and from a sustainable perspective. And I will also add of try to have a bit of the naive limitless view…

My own observation is that we are slowly but surely moving towards a calmer pace, where the experience is and becomes the important thing in the activity/challenge rather than getting as much done as possible in a short time. A mindset with a ”go slow with the flow”. And the best adventures are the ones that actually happens and not the ones where you reached the summit…

Everything wasn’t better before that is obvious, for example when it comes to stoves. The compact gas-stove it is much easier and lighter then the Trangia stove I use to used in the past. This one you can store with the gas can connected  inside the stove – which means you can start it immediately when you wake up in the morning for example. It boils 0.5L cold water within 3 minutes which is good.  So a stove for 1-2 persons, this is a real good solution (NNNN+)

DT James & Kimbo – Voices (Lyrics)

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( the view  over the light house Högbonden)

It is spring, and a lot of upcoming adventures. But the period between spring winter and spring is a bit of ”off-season” and that means perfect for planning the upcoming mountain challenges. The spring will come faster at the coast, so here you will get a nice suggestion…

Today it will be about a trail, that is really nice. The High Coast trail. The trail is 135km long and begins at Hornöberget in the south and end up at Örnsköldsvik in the north. The trail is splitted up into nine stages. Most of it follows the coastline, but it passes through virgin forest and archipelago. You got a lot a options for getting as much out of your hike here, or what about calotte mountains, deep woods, mountain views and gravel field for mention some. At times you will find yourself 250 meters above the coastline. The advantage with this trail is that there are good opportunities for sleeping indoors and buying necessities. But I strongly recommend bringing tent and supplies to be the free hiker. If you go the whole trail, you need 9-11 days. The stages are about 15-25,5km, and it will take between 5-10 hours each day.

All the stages are very nice, but I will recommend a suggestion of a combination of stage 8 and 9. So you start from Köpmanholmen-Hålviken and hike towards Balesudden and continue to the wind shelter at Bodviken. Here you either sleep in the wind shelter or in a tent or why not in a tarp? The next day you return to the starting point. In Köpmanholmen I can recommend a visit at Forss brewery. The High Coast trail is a really Pandoras box, every stage got its own treasures. So todays suggestion is just a small piece of that…It is a lot of different sort of accommodations, but with tent you will be the free hiker.

When it comes to stoves, I really like my JetBoil. But the upcoming week I will try the Primus Lite XL Stove system II 1.0. So why, when I got the first choice? Well, this one is for use of 1-3 persons. Which can be good…The weight is just 445g 1.0 Litre and the effect is 1700w

R.L. Burnside – It’s Bad You Know (Official Audio)

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Dâ ordner säj annars kvetter dâ, this is a saying from Värmland where I come from. And its something that has impressed me. Todays reflection will be both soft and hard. This might be things you will reflect of when the best before date has passed:-). Sometimes we are worried about things in the future, but to be honest: that is quite unnecessarily. Becoming stressed and worried about something that never happened. It is here the quote will be relevant; I will work out – Otherwise it doesn’t matter:-). Another thing I’ve been reflecting over is effectiveness or ability of got time for a lot of different activities. It will be like a self-playing piano. If you do a lot of thing, you got energy and it give you effectiveness (but just as long as it gives you energy) So surrender yourself with people and assignment/activity that will give you just this. And the mountains will for sure give you energy, so be there…

The InReach from Garmin is a good safety solution. But does it work? Well, here comes some evidence: More then 3000 alarm was initiated during 2025. The statistics show that medical issues such as altitude illness, heart discase increases every year. 12% of the issues will be handled by the owner of the InReach by them selves. Hiking and backpacking is the biggest area of support from SOS perspective. Climbing/mountaineering has an increasing trend. The three biggest area of support is injury followed by vehicle issue and medical issues. So summing up – yes the InReach is a good safety solution (among other brand as well…)

At the moment I am planning for a upcoming seminar for upgrading Se Mountain Leaders to 2.0 among other training that will be held during the spring. And also planning upcoming adventures…

Out of Time – Urban Night Reggae | Cinematic AI Music Video 🌙🎷

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Today it was annual meeting for the Mountain Safety Council. One of the items of the agenda was the decision of approving the new  Mountain Leader Norm. The decision was made unanimously, which means that the current standard from the beginning of 2000 has been upgraded. It may seem like a small event, but it represents a clear development and improvement with the new one. A receipt that all the work put in was worth the effort and time. So from today the new badge with the norm will be approved to wear. 

The spring is on the move, and I like it. I still got some winter adventure to take care of, but the mind I’m already in spring/summer planning mode. It feels in the whole body when the temperature and the winds become warmer. So what is the most important discover I will bring with me from this winter – it will be the Atomic habits, the small the micro adventures. sitting in the car from Åsarna down to Hamra national park early in the morning, almost just me on the road. And complete alone in the National Park so quiet, so free so wonderful. 

So over to gear, I cant help it but I am a vest addict. I use it a lot as a middle layer. The Ortovox Swisswool Piz ski touring vest, will be my next gear to review.

The Ortovox Swisswool Piz Boe Men’s Touring Vest offers everything for demanding ski tourers. With its moisture-regulating 60 g/m² Swisswool fill, the vest impresses on cold touring days with an ideal weight-to-insulation ratio, while the robust PERTEX® QUANTUM outer material reliably protects against wind and moisture. The elastic MERINO AIRSOLATION stretch inserts on the sides and back are characterized by their high breathability and ensure optimal freedom of movement in challenging terrain with the summit in sight.

And I have also reviewed the Lundhags Abisku Hybrid pant. Designed for winter touring, the Abisku Hybrid Bib Pant combines durable and long-lasting materials that provide reliable protection against harsh weather conditions. Water-resistant fabrics in exposed areas also contain stretch for increased freedom of movement. The pants have spacious lower pockets, multiple ventilation options to regulate airflow, and a powder skirt for maximum protection. This one I really like, perfect for long ski touring adventures. Big pockets etc. (NNNNN)

El Paso Del Gigante

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This week I’ve been instructor at the IML Winter Training. It really is a fantastic opportunity to be instructor at such training. You learn by being forced to update your skills, to listen to and see colleagues and also learn a lot from the participants. As always it is a lot to training that need to be done on a limited time – and ad the factor of weather and other circumstances that will effect the planning. However, the result was really good from my point of view. In-depth expertise in ropes and knots, how to use a ice axe in a efficient way. Improved and developed capability with avalanche transceiver and probe. Digging technique among leadership and safety planning etc. And also a miniexpedition in the Oviks mountain area, this with developed skill in digging a snow cave. Navigation and handle a group in winter condition.

I have also tested the Lundhags Makke pro hybrid jacket. Honest I am not a fan of hybrid solution, but this one was a really nice experience. Very well ventilated areas, and with layer at the place where you get wet. Windproof in a good way as well. So it will be a (NNNNN)

Compass is a vital equipment to bring, with a higher age and with poor eyesight, it can easily become a challenge to find it on the map. But Silvas Spike Jet Zoom, can be a solution. This is a compass with a larger magnifying glass. This might help us aldermen out…

This week suggestion of book will be ”Dead Mountain” of Donnie Eichar. This is not a new book, but very interesting. It is about the Dyatlov expedition. ”The untold true story of the Dyatlov pass incident” The author has been trough all the Russian document on his way to an explanation of the incident. I can recommend it if this tickles your curiosity….

Echo and Flow – Desert Reggae Ritual | Cinematic Sci-Fi Music Video

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